Teachers have recently gained significant First Amendment protection within the areas of classroom utterances; dress and appearance; badges, buttons, and other insignia; flag salutes; and classroom assignments. The extent of this academic freedom has not yet been determined, but various guidelines have been set by both federal and state appellate courts. Fundamental to these guidelines is the balancing test that requires that the courts consider each case individually and balance all of the circumstances to determine whether a school board's interest is sufficient to restrict the speech and expression of a teacher in the classroom. (Author/IRT)